Details unfold about SoMa serial arson suspect

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- San Francisco police say a serial arsonist is off the streets. Anthony Bejarano was arrested just a block away from One Rincon Plaza -- a luxury high rise where firefighters put out a deliberately set fire last week.

Police say the fire in the garage of the luxury high-rise was one of the more serious of the serial arsons. They say Bejarano was a dangerous man while he was on the streets and now we're learning other people, like his roommate, also believed he was a serious threat.

Investigators say surveillance photos and video show 47-year-old Bejarano in the process of committing a series of arson fires, mostly in South of Market neighborhood. Each time, he's shown carrying a bag and in one of the photos he is standing next to some dumpsters, one of his alleged targets.

San Francisco police spokesperson Officer Albie Esparza said, "The very next day after San Francisco police released the images and video of the suspect, we did receive information."

On Wednesday night, San Francisco police arrested Bejarano. They believe he started the car fire, inside the garage of One Rincon Plaza. Over the past week, police say Bejarano also set fire to garbage cans, dumpsters, newspaper racks and construction sites.

Carpenter April Atkins said, "Well, I'm glad they caught the person. It can be very dangerous, especially at a construction site."

As early as last year, Bejarano lived on Market Street on the 21st floor. ABC7 News learned his roommate applied for a restraining order against him.

He said Bejarano, "cornered me in the kitchen and threatened to kill me. I called the police and they asked if I wanted him arrested. I said no because I was afraid he would harm me if I did."

Bejarano, who is charged with six counts of arson, denied our request for a jailhouse interview.